Winner of the 2010 ‘Young Achiever of the Year’ visits Robert Sturdy in the European Parliament.
The Cambridge News Community Awards Young Achiever of the Year, Alexia Sloane aged 10, visited the European Parliament earlier this week as part of her prize.
Announced via a recorded video message at last year’s award ceremony, Conservative East of England MEP, Robert Sturdy, invited Alexia to Brussels to spend the day working with real interpreters in the most multi-lingual Parliament in the world.
Alexia, who speaks 4 languages and has achieved two A* GCSEs in French and Spanish, suffers from a condition called Neurofibromatosis Type 1 which unfortunately meant that she lost her eyesight at the age of 2 due to a brain tumour. Undeterred, Alexia wants to take full advantage of her obvious gift for languages and become an interpreter.
Accompanied by her parents, Richard and Isabella, Alexia got a real feel for life as an interpreter as she was treated to a tour of the Parliament interpretation facilities and was even able to interpret during a live Parliamentary Committee hearing.
Alongside her interpretation experience, Alexia was given the treatment of a visiting dignitary, meeting in protocols rooms reserved for visiting ambassadors and escorted by MEPs and senior employees of the Parliament. The excitement did not stop there and on her departure she was presented with a medal of achievement from the Parliament.
As if that wasn’t enough, the whole trip was covered for a documentary that was broadcast on Tuesday night on ITV.
Speaking once she arrived back at home, Alexia’s delight was evident:
‘The trip was more than a dream come true, unfortunately I have to wake up to reality now.’
‘I am now more determined than ever to become an interpreter in the future and to return to Brussels in the not too distant future, to see all the wonderful people I met.’
Robert Sturdy MEP also commented:
‘It was a real pleasure to host a visit for such a talented and charming young lady and I have no doubt that one day she will be back in Brussels interpreting for the European Parliament.’
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For further information contact: Robert Sturdy MEP– robert.sturdy@europarl.europa.eu
Tel: 01954 211790 or 0032 2284 7294.
